I hope you're doing well and enjoying spring. I also hope that you'll find the following
article about Trichoderma by Murali Putty both interesting and useful.

With best wishes,
Dave Gallup

TrichodermaBy Murali Putty, EMLab P&K Analyst

Trichoderma is a genus of asexual fungi, predominantly found in soil. Where known, all
species currently have the ascomycete genus Hypocrea as their sexual stage. Trichoderma
is also found in or on damp wood, grains, citrus fruit, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, paper and textiles.
Three species of Trichoderma: T. viride, T. harzianum, and T. koningii,
are usually found in indoor environments on building materials such as wallpaper, tiles, wallboard,
and wood. Generally, Trichoderma species require high water activity.

Colonies are cream-colored in the beginning, later becoming green due to abundant sporulation.
Conidiophores are septate, hyaline and loosely branched. Main branches of the conidiophores
produce lateral side branches. All primary and secondary branches arise at 90° angles with
respect to the main axis. Phialides are flask-shaped, and may be densely clustered on the main
axis, or solitary. Conidia are typically smooth, pale green, spherical to ellipsoidal, measuring
3-5 x 2-4 µm, and occurring in slimy heads. Trichoderma spores generally disseminate
through rain, insects, water splash, and wind.

On spore traps, conidia resemble Penicillium and Aspergillus spores, but Trichoderma
forms sticky clumps of conidia with a distinctive green pigment, rather than occurring in chains.
Typical green spore clumps are identified as Trichoderma. On
direct exam tape lift samples,
they are readily identifiable. Trichoderma is very distinctive in culture, producing
rapidly growing, floccose colonies which are white, yellow-green or bright green in colors.
Certain species can grow very quickly, often outgrowing other fungal genera in the culture media.
Trichoderma are typically fast growing at 25-30°C, but will not grow at 35°C. Some
species of Trichoderma (e.g. T. viride) produce a characteristic coconut odor.

The mycelium of Trichoderma can produce a wide variety of enzymes, including cellulases
(degrade cellulose) and chitinases (degrade chitin). Because of its ability to produce
chitinases, Trichoderma can be a parasite of other fungi. For example, Trichoderma
can parasitize the fruiting bodies and mycelia of certain mushroom-forming fungi. Several strains
of Trichoderma have been developed as biocontrol agents against plant pathogenic fungi.
Examples include its application for control of botrytis rot on apple and strawberry crops.

Trichoderma species are efficient producers of many extracellular enzymes. They are used
commercially for degradation of complex polysaccharides. They are frequently used in the food
and textile industries for these purposes. For example, cellulases from these fungi are used in
denim fabrics to give rise to the soft, whitened fabric: stone-washed denim. The enzymes are
also used in poultry feed to increase the digestibility of hemicelluloses from barley and other
crops. For many years, the ability of these fungi to increase the rate of plant growth and
development, including their ability to cause the production of more robust roots, has been demonstrated.
Certain strains are known to increase the numbers of deep roots. These deep roots cause crops
such as corn and ornamental plants such as turfgrass, to become more resistant to drought.

Trichoderma can be a particular problem in the mushroom cultivation industry, causing
green mold disease of mushrooms. When the mushroom is parasitized, it develops a green mold over
the surface, making the mushroom ugly and deformed, as well as causing significant yield losses
for the industry. Trichoderma is also known to be the causal agent of green mold rot of
onion. Human infections include: pulmonary, peritonitis in a dialysis patient, and a perihepatic
infection in a liver transplant patient. It is considered as an emerging opportunist in
immunocompromised persons. Inhalation of the conidia or the microbial volatile organic compounds
(MVOC) may cause symptoms similar to those of Stachybotrys reactions.

The data and other information contained in this newsletter are provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for any other purpose. EMLab P&K hereby disclaims any liability for any and all direct, indirect, punitive, incidental, special or consequential damages arising out of the use or interpretation of the data or other information contained in, or any actions taken or omitted in reliance upon, this newsletter. Images included in this newsletter are property of EMLab P&K, unless otherwise specified.